Practical Nursing
Program Overview
The curriculum provides a learning experience that is integrated, professional, collaborative and culturally sensitive with an aim to prepare graduates to care for individuals (and, by extension, families of individuals) at multiple life stages and in a variety of practice settings.
The Provincial Practical Nursing Program (PPNP) is designed to provide learners with the knowledge, skills, judgements and attitudes to perform to the full range of competencies as identified by the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM). Consistent with the BCCNM Scope of Practice: Standards, Limits and Conditions, the focus for beginner’s practice is “promotion, maintenance and restoration of health, with a focus on clients with stable or predictable states of health.” Additionally, upon successful completion of the program, learners will possess the competencies to successfully complete the NCLEX-PN Exam
Upon completion of the Practical Nursing Program (PNP), graduates will:
- Apply the Entry-level Competencies for Licensed Practical Nurses (2021) to provide safe, competent, culturally safe, and ethical care.
- Practice within relevant legislation, scope of practice, standards of practice, and ethical standards as set out by the Nurses (Licensed Practical) Regulation (2015), and the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).
- Value and engage in continuous learning to maintain and enhance competence.
- Practice in collaboration with other members of the health care team to meet the collective needs of their clients.
- Participate in interprofessional problem solving and decision making.
- Advocate for and facilitate change reflecting evidence‐informed practice.
- Make practice decisions that are client specific and consider client acuity, complexity, variability, and available resources.
- Use critical thinking, clinical judgment, and knowledge of assessment to plan, implement and evaluate the agreed-upon plan of care.
- Develop a collaborative relationship with clients by connecting, sharing, and exploring with them in a caring environment.
- Provide culturally safe, person‐centred care across the lifespan that recognizes and respects the uniqueness of each individual and is sensitive to cultural safety, cultural humility, and diversity.
- Provide leadership, direction, assignment, and supervision of unregulated care providers as appropriate.
- Identify one’s own values, biases and assumptions and the influence of these on interactions with clients and other members of the health care team.
Admission Requirements
Before an application is considered complete, the following must be received by the Admissions office:
a) Selkirk College Application Form
b) PNP application form
c) Requisite Skills and Abilities declaration form
d) English language declaration form
e) Official transcripts of high school or upgrading program grades (an interim statement of grades is acceptable if applicant is still attending school)
f) Official transcripts for all post-secondary education studies in which the applicant has enrolled
g) BC Ministry of Justice Criminal Record Check
h) College Readiness Tool (CRT) Assessment
2. The Admissions Office will acknowledge receipt of application forms. Program seats will be offered on a first qualified, first served basis.
3. Fully qualified applicants will be admitted based on the application date. A non-refundable seat deposit is required by the offer-acceptance deadline otherwise the offer will be considered declined.
4. Once the seats have been filled, a waitlist will be created for the current intake. Applicants on the waitlist will be offered seats which remain or become vacant after the offer-acceptance deadline.
5. Applicants who are not admitted or do not take a seat are required to reapply to be considered in a subsequent year; waitlists are not carried over.
1. Successful completion of Anatomy and Physiology for Practical Nurses, Professional Practice I and Professional Communication I, or provincially transferable equivalent, is required prior to continued studies in the program.
2. To progress from one semester to the next, the following requirements must be met:
a) Satisfactory completion of all theory courses with a minimum of 70% except for the following courses:
a) Pharmacology I-II 80%
b) Integrated Nursing Practice I-IV 70% on written assignments and credit granted (CRG) on psycho-motor skills testing
c) Consolidated Practice Experience (CPE) I-IV and Preceptorship - CRG
b) A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 per semester.
Courses
PNUR100 - Professional Practice I
PNUR 100 Professional Practice I is a theory course that introduces the profession of Practical Nursing and the BC legislation that informs the practice. The history of nursing and, specifically, the evolution of Practical Nursing in the Canadian health care system are discussed. The philosophy and foundational concepts of the PNP are explored.
PNUR101 - Professional Communication I
PNUR 101 Professional Communication I provides learners with the foundational knowledge for caring and professional communication in nursing. An experiential and self‐reflective approach is used to develop self‐awareness and interpersonal communication skills in the context of safe, competent and collaborative nursing practice. Topics include communication theory, the nurse‐client relationship, therapeutic communication, cross‐cultural communication and effective teamwork.
PNUR102 - Variations in Health I
PNUR 102 Variations in Health I is an introductory course that provides learners with the foundations of disease and illness across the lifespan. Learners will gain an understanding of pathophysiological alterations of body systems. Nursing management of disease and illness across the lifespan with an emphasis on interventions and treatment is also discussed. Cultural diversity in healing practices is explored as well as the incorporation of evidenced-informed practice.
PNUR103 - Health Promotion I
PNUR 103 Health Promotion I introduces the concepts of health promotion, the determinants of health and health inequities, and develops a beginning knowledge of normal growth and development. Topics include health enhancement, health protection, disease prevention and health restoration (recovery, care and support).
PNUR104 - Pharmacology I
PNUR 104 Pharmacology I is an introductory course that examines the principles of pharmacology required to administer medications in a safe and professional manner. Medication administration requires the application of the nursing process for clinical decision making. Various routes of medication administration are introduced, and complementary, Indigenous and alternative remedies, and polypharmacy across the lifespan are also explored.
PNUR105 - Integrated Nursing Practice I
PNUR 105 Integrated Nursing Practice I emphasizes the art and science of nursing, focusing on the development of basic nursing care and assessment. Learners will apply nursing knowledge through the practice of clinical decision making, nursing assessment and nursing interventions aimed at promoting health, independence and comfort. A variety of approaches (e.g., simulation) are used to assist learners to integrate theory from other Level 1 courses.
PNUR106 - Consolidated Practice Experience I
PNUR 106 Consolidated Practice Experience I provides learners with an opportunity to integrate theory from Level 1 coursework into practice. Learners will gain experience in various settings with a focus on the healthy client. Learning the role of the Practical Nurse, personal care skills, organization of care, focused assessment, beginning medication administration and professional communication are emphasized.
PNUR114 - Anatomy & Physiology for Practical Nurses
PNUR 114 Anatomy & Physiology for Practical Nurses is designed to provide the student with an overview of the structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) of 12 body systems. Students also learn various health promotion strategies that assist in maintaining optimal function of these body systems. Healthcare terminology is introduced in this course.
PNUR107 - Professional Practice II
PNUR 107 Professional Practice II examines the legislation influencing Practical Nursing practice with clients experiencing chronic illness and those in residential care settings. Specific professional issues such as responsibility, accountability, ethical practice and leadership relevant to the Practical Nursing role in residential care are explored. Critical thinking and decision making specific to the care of clients with chronic health challenges and interprofessional practice are also addressed.
PNUR108 - Professional Communication II
PNUR 108 Professional Communication II provides learners with an opportunity to develop professional communication skills with older adults and clients requiring end-of-life care. Interprofessional communication knowledge and skills are further developed.
PNUR109 - Variations in Health II
PNUR 109 Variations in Health II focuses on pathophysiology as it relates to the aging process and selected chronic illnesses. The main focus is on the care of older adults experiencing a health challenge. Cultural diversity in healing practices are explored as well as evidence-informed research and practice.
PNUR110 - Health Promotion II
PNUR 110 Health Promotion II focuses on health promotion as it relates to the aging process, including exploring health promotion activities aimed at supporting clients to maintain their health. The concepts of health promotion, physical and mental wellness, normal aging changes and continued independence are examined.
PNUR111 - Pharmacology II
PNUR 111 Pharmacology II builds on Pharmacology I to increase learners’ understanding of pharmacotherapeutics prescribed for illnesses that clients experience across the lifespan. Topics include drug classifications and links with common diseases/illnesses based on a body system approach and drug resistance.
PNUR112 - Integrated Nursing Practice II
PNUR 112 Integrated Nursing Practice II builds on the theory and practice from Levels 1 and 2. Through a variety of approaches (e.g., simulation), learners will continue to develop knowledge and practice of comprehensive nursing assessment, planning for, and interventions with clients experiencing multiple health challenges in a variety of settings.
PNUR113 - Consolidated Practice Experience II
PNUR 113 Consolidated Practice Experience II provides learners with the opportunity to integrate theory from Level 1 and 2 courses into practice. Learners will practice with aging clients and/or those with chronic illnesses in residential care settings. Medication administration, nursing care, organization, comprehensive health assessment, wound care and introduction to leadership are emphasized.
Tuition & Fees
Domestic
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